Forum makes 'highly advanced' LR-class submarine rescue vehicle
SRV is capable of rescuing up to 17 people at a time.
UK-based Forum Energy Technologies announced on 25 January that it has completed manufacturing a ‘highly advanced’ LR-class submarine rescue vehicle (SRV).
The first-in-class SRV is being packaged and shipped to its final destination imminently before undergoing final sea trials with an unnamed customer in Q1 2021.
The SRV is capable of rescuing up to 17 people at a time and operate at depths of up to 600m. The vehicle has increased power and an advanced auxiliary thruster control system that allows for speeds of up to 4kt, enabling it to operate in high currents. The vehicle is able to attach to submarines at highly precarious angles, above 40 degrees.
Onboard sensors and equipment include a doppler velocity log, fibre-optic gyroscope, sonar and depth sensing. The autopilot function utilises an electric propulsor pivot mechanism and is unique to the LR-class SRV.
The SRV is divided into two sections: a command module for pilots and a rescue chamber for the submarine crew. The rescue chamber can be pressurised as necessary to ensure rescued crew are decompressed. Once on the surface, the vessel latches to a decompression chamber where crew are safely transferred.
Forum claimed that its LR-class SRV surpasses systems manufactured by other suppliers over the last decade, including the NATO Submarine Rescue System and the LR7 system delivered to China.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships]()
Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships
Ireland has a maritime area ten times the size of its land mass but has a limited naval capacity and faces an ongoing threat to critical underwater infrastructure. A new strategy is looking to address the challenge.
-
![What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?]()
What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?
Collaboration on AUKUS Pillar II extends beyond the core trilateral agreement, presenting global opportunities for companies with advanced technologies.
-
![Australia signs US$2.8 billion ship deal with Austal but puts pressure on company to deliver]()
Australia signs US$2.8 billion ship deal with Austal but puts pressure on company to deliver
The A$4 billion Landing Craft Heavy contract for Austal follows on from a A$1 billion deal in December for Landing Craft Medium ships, but the Australian government has made it clear that a contract for Mogami frigates is reliant on the success of these two contracts.
-
![US Navy to deploy UAVs with standard munitions in long-range strikes]()
US Navy to deploy UAVs with standard munitions in long-range strikes
As part of the Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike programme, the US Navy is pursuing drones capable of delivering palletised rounds or 1,000lb-class munitions.
-
![Turkey targets Italian market with strategic partnership on USVs and hybrid platforms]()
Turkey targets Italian market with strategic partnership on USVs and hybrid platforms
Havelsan, VN Maritime and Piloda Defence will collaborate to develop and integrate a range of maritime solutions with a view to secure a first procurement contract in Italy in the first half of this year.
